Pay what you like non profit restaurant ‘pops up’ and feeds close to 100

Galway Advertiser, Thu, Dec 01, 2016

Organisers of The One World Tapestry Multicultural Food Event in Dela Restaurant: Margaret Bohan, Dela Retaurant, Blessing Moyo and her son Alex Mugisha and Alan Gosker, head chef, Dela Restaurant.

The One World Tapestry is a not for profit pay as you feel venture that aims to create a space for people to come together through food and experience an inclusive community while working with asylum seekers to help them use their own skills through volunteering.

On Monday evening 28 November, a pop up restaurant in Dela on Dominic Street in Galway saw close to 100 people come together to eat food, socialise, and enjoy an inclusive evening for everyone.

Hosted by Blessing Moyo, Chef Alan Gosker and owner Margeret Bohan, there were no set prices for the food which was represented by dishes from around the globe. Guests were invited to pay what they feel, not just for the food but also for the experience and future possibilities.

The ultimate goal is to find a permanent home that will embrace all cultures and religions. Asylum seekers are denied the basic right to cook for their families, to work and to attend third level education. The aim is to highlight the multitude of physical and mental problems this afflicts upon Direct Provision residents by giving them a chance to cook their food and to have people from every walk of life experience an environment safe from fear and hatred.

Blessing lived in direct provision for six years and was not allowed to cook for her children and felt like she was denied her basic rights as a mother to be able to choose the meals that she wanted to cook for her children.

As someone living in Galway, she saw that there was no multicultural restaurant where people from all over the world can walk in sit and down together and have a meal and all get a chance to get to know each other.

“We live in a world which is full of hatred, people are always pointing fingers at at each other and we are filled with fear. So the reason the reason behind this multicultural restaurant is to create a safe space for people to get together through food and get to know each other.

“In my culture there is a belief that if you can sit down and share a meal with me you are my brother or sister so there is no way you can hurt me, instead you will love me. This space is for people to come and embrace each other’s culture and chat through food. Aiming to bring people together as we are one human race”